Community Action - How to get started

Neighbourhood groups and organizations come together to tackle a variety of issues important to them. Many of these groups are concerned about the sexual exploitation of children.

Your neighbourhood association or community group can take action in a number of ways. To get started, consider the following steps:

  1. Research - Read the information on this site to become familiar with the issue and talk to others in your neighbourhood about sexual exploitation in your area. Get to know the organizations in your neighbourhood that might already be taking action in some way. Perhaps there is a role to play for your group or association. Visit our Resources page for a list of them.

  2. Plan - Develop realistic goals for your group, taking into consideration the skills of your members and the funds available. Also think about how you will know if your actions have been successful.

  3. Develop partnerships - Linking to other groups and organizations with similar goals can sometimes push your group's plan of action ahead. Talk to other neighbourhood resources to see how you can work together. Possible partners could include:

    • Tenants or resident groups
    • Organizations working on this issue
    • Schools
    • Elders, or spiritual leaders
    • Law enforcement officers
    • Elected officials
    • Local businesses
    • Youth groups
    • Any other groups active in your community
    • Representatives from Manitoba Family Services and Housing; Manitoba Justice; or Manitoba Health.

Ideas for community action

  • Hold an awareness forum for your group. Invite someone knowledgeable about child sexual exploitation to help your group understand the issue, how to report it etc.
  • Hold a fundraiser for an organization already addressing the issue.
  • Canvass your neighbourhood with information about the Stop Sex with Kids Campaign to get more people interested in helping your group. Contact us for materials.

If you would like more information about how your group can take action, or to discuss an idea you have, contact us.

Examples of Past Community Action

Grandmothers Protecting our Children Sacred Walk

New Anti Violence Advisory Team Meeting

Thursday, Feb 25th
From 11:45– 1 pm
At: Sage House,
422 Dufferin Ave.
For Further information call Kathleen at 943-6379

Click here to see the poster.

SNOW NIGHT

Safe Night Off Winnipeg streets
For Women and Transgendered Sex Trade Workers
7 pm Thursday February 18, 2010 - 9 am Friday February 19, 2010

Two day community workshop

Two day community workshop, January 26 and February 2, 2010 at David Livingstone School 270 Flora Ave.

A second workshop will be held from 4-630 pm on February 16th and 23rd (two Thursdays).
Location: King Edward school, 825 Selkirk avenue (in the gym).

ROSSBROOK HOUSE Open House & Craft Sale

November 5, 2009: The Annual ROSSBROOK HOUSE OPEN HOUSE & SCHOOL CRAFT SALE will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2009 from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm.

Beyond Borders Media Awards

November 20, 2009: Sexual Exploitation is a human rights issue affecting thousands of Canadian children and millions globally. Beyond Borders honours journalists for raising awareness about this critical issue. (click here for details)

Grandmothers Protecting our Children Sacred Walk

September 21, 2009: 3rd Annual Grandmothers Protecting our Children Sacred Walk (click here for details)

Front Line Voices (March 17 and 18, 2008)

The Minister of Family Services and Housing, Gord Mackintosh, hosted a two-day summit, Front Line Voices: Manitobans Working Together to End Child Sexual Exploitation on March 17 and March 18, 2008. The summit workshops were attended by 195 people-65 in Thompson and 130 in Winnipeg. The summit brought together youth service workers, police and justice officials, community groups, educators, Aboriginal groups and government agencies to develop strategies to support sexually exploited children who are making positive changes in their lives and help prevent others from being exploited. (more)

Opportunity Fair for Experiential People (May 5, 2009) - http://ndinawe.ca

Please come to the second annual Opportunity Fair for Experiential People. Over 10 different agencies are participating this year! Come and meet people from agencies and training programs that want to hire and work with people whose life experiences can help others.

Sage House - SNOW NIGHT (February 12, 2009)

We want to dedicate February 12, 2009 as a special night where all those who are working in the sex trade are safe from violence, harm, hunger, homelessness and exploitation.

Aboriginal Visioning for the North End & North End Community Helpers Network - presents - LIGHTING UP THE AVENUE (December 11, 2008)

"Lighting Up the Avenue" is a gathering for all nations to come together and share in the joyous festivities of the holiday season and celebrate as one.

Marymound, Rose Hall (December 17, 2008)

As part of the Stop Sex with Kids campaign, Rose Hall is hosting an open house December 17 from 1-4 p.m. for those connected to the young women staying there.

Specialized Training: Understanding and working with Children/Youth who have been Sexually Exploited (January/February 2009)

As the number of sexually exploited children and youth in our society continually increases, it is important to ensure that our social, educational, health and justice systems have the knowledge and skills needed to respond to this population.